The Almond Branch

October 3 Jeremiah 1:1-2:30

Object Lessons That Demand Obedience

The Almond Branch

“I see a branch from an almond tree. (Jeremiah). ‘And the LORD said, ‘That’s right, and it means that I am watching, and I will certainly carry out all my plans’.” (Isaiah 1:11-12)

Erupting with flowers before spring, the almond tree is a bounty of Jewish symbolism.

It is considered the subject of a Biblical miracle and a sign of industriousness.

The almond tree blossoms in time for Jewish Arbor Day, while most other plants are still locked in winter’s embrace.

We as humans are dependent on nature’s bounty for survival, and thus the reference to more than 100 plants for symbolic reasons is found throughout the Bible.

The book of Jeremiah is filled with “Object Lessons that Demand Obedience”.

The first two lessons found in today’s reading are “The Almond Rod” and “Boiling Caldron”.

I would also say that Jeremiah, himself, was also an OBJECT LESSON from God to the people.

When it came time to deliver HIS chosen people into captivity, God sent a final prophet to them. His name was Jeremiah, and he is known as “The Weeping Prophet”.

Note that when it was time to punish HIS beloved children he did NOT send “The Yelling Prophet”. He sent “The Weeping Prophet”. That should tell us a lot about our God!

Jeremiah, “The Weeping Prophet” was born a priest. (1:1) He was chosen to be a prophet before he was born. (1:5) He was called to his prophetic office. (1:6) He was forbidden to marry due to the terrible times. (16:1-4) He didn’t want this job!!! (20:9) He actually tried to resign but his resignation was not accepted! Jeremiah was REJECTED by his own people, hated and beaten, and imprisoned. (11:18-21; 20:1-3, 37:11-16)

Now you know why they call him “The Weeping Prophet”.

Not only was he, himself, An OBJECT LESSON of gigantic proportions, but God also used him to share OBJECT LESSONS THAT DEMAND OBEDIENCE with the people who were out of time for repentance; judgment was coming…

First, we will look at the “Almond Rod” and then the “Boiling Caldron”. Almond milk is very trendy right now. In fact, you can turn on the TV and watch commercials about it as a great alternative to regular milk. But, the almond tree is nothing new…

The almond tree is a member of the rose family and it is to Israel what the cherry blossom is to Japan. This tree produces tens of thousands of delicate white or pink flowers which are even more prominent because they bloom even before the emergence of leaves.

In the Bible, the almond tree is famous as a miracle involving an almond branch that determined the Tribe of Levite to be the chosen tribe as Israel’s priests. In Numbers 17, God instructs Moses to obtain a staff, or branch from each of the twelve tribes and put it in the tent of meeting in front of the Ark of the Covenant. All farmers of that time knew what happened in the development of buds, blossoms, and ripe almonds at the same time was a miracle.

“The man whom I shall choose, his rod shall bud; and I will make to cease from Me the murmuring of the children of Israel, which they murmur against you.” You can read the rest of the story in Numbers 17:20 Ff. Moses did what he was told and God selected his chosen Levites to be His ministers.

Did you know that when describing the Menorah (oil lamp) in the Holy of Holies, that there were to be three cups made like almond blossoms in one branch?

Another fact that is little known to us is that a wild almond is actually a bush whose fruit is BITTER and whose seeds release CYANIDE when bitten into. This is a defense against herbivores. It is also poisonous to humans with serious side effects, such as slowing of the nervous system, breathing problems, and death.

So, how do you get rid of the poison to make the plant edible? The bitter almond is rid of the poison by “crushing the plant and washing the mashed nuts”.

Why did God select almonds? The almond flowers first, but it takes a LONG TIME to produce ripe FRUIT…. Does that sound a little bit like the Jewish nation?

The significance is seen in the Hebrew word for almond, “sha-ked” which is also translated “to watch”. The Jewish people would catch the “pun” and message intended for them. However, our culture will not get the significance here as they would…

After the “almond rod” came the “boiling caldron”, “The word of the Lord came to me a second time saying, ‘What do you see? And I said, ‘I see a boiling pot, facing away from the north.” (1:13-14)

A “Boiling Pot” is an emblem of war, and the desolation it produces. The thick vapor of Judah’s capture is imminent. They will be captured and taken into captivity…However, remember the message of “The Almond Branch”…

The BITTER will be CRUSHED and WASHED before it can BLOOM and BEAUTY can